Transmission control



Aug. 4, 1942. E. J. THURBER TRANSMISSION CONTROL 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 25, 1938 4, 1942- E. J. THURBER TRANSMISSION CONTROL Filed July 23, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 awe/rm Aug. 4, 1942. E. J. THURBER TRANSMISSION CONTROL Filed July 23, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 4, 1942. E. J. THURBER 2,292,253

TRANSMISSION CONTROL Y Filed July 23, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 QWUW' Patented Aug. 4,1942

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRANSMISSION CONTROL Edward J. Thurber, New Orleans, La.

Application July 23,1938, Serial No. 220,965

(cl. 192-.o1)

l 36 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in speed changing means for variable speed trans missions or other mechanisms, andmore especially transmissions used for automobiles, and the invention relates more particularly to means for controlling automobile transmissions of the conventional selective speed type to effect different desired speed changes, the controlling means according to the present invention being similar to that disclosed in my prior application Serial No. 65,714, filed February 25, 1936, now Patent No. 2,156,209 granted April 25, 1939, but including further features and improvements.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide novel and improved controlling means embodying selecting means the operation of which is controlled by successive actuations of a power controlling element of the Another object is to provide selecting means for the speed changing mechanism which is controlled automatically or manually as described, the elements of which selecting means are con:

structed as a unit which may be mounted on the steering column of an automobile,

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for actuating the speed changing elements which embodies'means transmission, thereby avoiding-an obstruction 'in automobile such as the main clutch pedal or the accelerator pedal, or both of such pedals operating conjointly to automatically select the speed changes progressively, as from first speed throughan intermediate speed or speeds to high speeds.

Another object is to provide such controlling means which enables any desired speed change to be selected manually or at the will of the driver, independently of such automatic control.

Another object is to provide such controlling means wherein the times when the speed changes selected either automatically or manually are actually made is controlled by a fuel controlling element of the automobile engine, such as the accelerator pedal.

Another object is to provide such controlling means embodying selecting means which is restored to first speed from for example third or high speed when the speed of the automobile is reduced below a predetermined speed or when the automobile is stopped,' automatically, upon actuation of the main clutch pedal, or which can be restored to first speed from any other speed manually or at the will of the driver. I

Another object is to provide means for preventing unintentional actuation of the selecting means by careless operation ofthe accelerator pedal while the automobile is not in motion.

Another object is to provide a device respon sive to movement of the automobile for controlling the operation of the selecting means for the'speed changing mechanism, which device is associated with and connected to the drive shaft for the speedometer of the automobile, thereby facilitating and minimizing the cost the floor above the transmission, as heretofore.

To these and other ends, the invention con sists in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts all as will be'herein-.

after more fully described, the features of novelty being pointed out more particularly in the claims at the end or this specification.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of speed changing means for an. automobile transmission, embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail view, partly in section, of a portion of an automobile transmission, showing fluid pressure operating means for operating the actuating member to e'flect the different gear changes;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line :4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 55 in Fig. 3 and looking in the direction or the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the controlling contact member which is governed to move in accordance with the movements of the actuating member;

Fig. -Z is a detail longitudinal section of I the switch and its operating means by which the different speed changes are selected;

Fig. 8 is a detail section taken on the line 8-8 in Fig. 'l; v

Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on the line 99 in Fig. 7; v

Fig. 10 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale,

otthe contacts or the selecting switch;

- F18. 11 is a detail vertical section of the switch which controls the restoring of the gear changing elements to neutral condition and thereafter effects the different gear changes and performs certain other functions as will hereinafter appe Fig. 12 is a detail section of a modification of. the means for controlling or operating the actuating member which effects the speed changes;

Fig. 13 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of the latch forming part of the selecting means;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the selecting means, showing means "for mounting it on the steering column of an automobile;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of a modified form of selecting means;

Fig. 16 is a view of a portion of the selecting means shown in Fig. 15 but showing the same operated by the accelerator pedal of an automobile;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view, showing an arrangement in which the speed changes are controlled by the accelerator pedal only; and

Fig. 18 is a view similar toFig. 17, but showing an arrangement in which the speed changes are controlled by the clutch pedal only.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the different figures.

Speed changing means embodying the present invention are applicable generally to changeable speed mechanisms of various kinds to facilitate the control of operation thereof to provide different speeds, although the invention is ap plicable more particularly to automobile transmissions of conventional form employing a pair of reciprocatory shifting bars connected respectively to the sliding gears or speed changing elements, each of these bars being usually slidable from a normal or neutral position in either direction to effect one or another speed change.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter described in detail, but it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the precise constructions shown since equivalent constructions are contemplated and such will be included within the scope of the claims.

The invention is shown in the present instance as applied to an automobile transmission of conventional form comprising the usual main or clutch shaft l driven as usual through the usual main clutch from the automobile engine, 2 represents the usual main shaft of the transmission which is connected at its'rear end as usual to the rear or driving wheels of .the automobile, 3 represents the usual countershaft of the transmission, it being driven from the clutch shaft l by gears l as usual and having first, second and reverse gears 5, li and I fixed thereon, the main transmission shaft 2' having a sliding gear 8 splined thereon and shiftable from its normal or neutral position into mesh either with the first speed gear or with the usual idler reverse gear 9 meshing with the reverse gear I on the countershaft, and the main shaft 2 also has a sliding gear l0 splined thereon and shiftable in one or the other direction from its normal neutral position to engage it either with the second speed gear 6 or to engage a clutch member H fixed thereon with a clutch member l2 fixed to the clutch shaft I to set the transmission mechanism for third or high speed drive. The sliding v j or reverse is engaged by a s iding fork II fixed to a reciprocatory shift bar is which is mounted to reciprocate in the transmission casing as usual, and the second and third speed gear II is engaged by a shifting fork H which is fixed to a shifting bar It which is mounted to reciprocate 'in the transmission casing. The transmission shown is of a well known conventional form and is given by way of an example of a changeable speed mechanism to which the present invention is applicable.

The reciprocatory gear shifting bars are actuated by an actuating member 20 which, in the present instance, is shiftable laterally to operatively engage it either in a. notch 2| in the inner side of the shifting bar' I 4 or a notch 22 in the inner side of the shifting bar It, and the actuating member is rockable or reciprocatory at its lower end to shift the shifting bar with which it is engaged, in one direction or the other, to effect the different speed changes. As shown in the present instance; the actuating member is keyed or otherwise fixed on. a shaft 23 which is rotatable and also shiftable axially in bearings 24 provided in the upper portion of the transmission casing 25, the shaft 23 serving to operate the actuating member.

Preferably, as shown in the present instance, the actuating member is rocked on its pivotal axis or reciprocated to eflect the different gear changes by fluid pressure means, that shown in the present instance being similar to the means shown in my prior application hereinbefore referred to, comprising a piston 21 in the form of a vane which is fitted to swing in an arcuate path within an arcuate fiuid pressure chamber 28 formed on or attached to a side of the transmission casing, the vane having a hub 29 to which it is fixed, and the hub 29 being splined on the shaft 23, as by a key 38 whereby the swing of the vane 21 in either direction will cause the shaft 23 to rotate in the corresponding direction, and the shaft 23 may be shifted axially within the hub of the vane to connect the actuating member 20 with one or the other of the shifting bars while maintaining an operating connection between the actuating member and its operating vane 21.

Preferably, the actuating member 20 is normally held yieldingly in operating relation with the shifting bar It which sets the transmission for second and third speeds, by a coiled compression spring 3| which encircles the shaft 22 and bears at one end against a side of the transmission casing and at its other end against the side of a socket 32 which is fixed on an end of the shaft 23 which extends through a side oi. the transmission casing and is exposed exteriorly thereof, the socket 32 having an opening therein which extends vertically or substantially so and is adapted to removably receive the lower end of a handle or lever 33 whichcorresponds with the usual hand shifting lever, thus enabling the gear 8 which sets the transmission for first speed usual hand shifting lever when such is desired.

The transmission shown in the present instance is of lower height than transmissions heretofore used generally in automobiles in which a hand shifting lever is inserted into the top of the transmission casing, it being noted that the top of the transmission casing is closed by a cover which is located immediately above the operating shaft 23, and as the socket 32 for the hand shifting lever is located at a side of the transmission so that its presence does not increase the height of the transmission, the latter may be located below the floor of an automobile without requiring the raising of the portion of the floor above it and which has been objectionable because of the obstruction formed in the floor but which is avoided by the transmission constructed as herein shown.

The vane 21 is caused toswing from the neutral position shown in Fig. 2, in either direction toward one or the other'end of the casing 28 by creating a difference in fluid pressure in the casing at opposite sides of the vane. Preferably the vacuum pressure available in the intake manifold 36 of the automobile engine is utilized 15 it to the shifting bar l4 so that the latter may conveniently to effect the operations of the vane, communication of one or the other side of the vane with the intake manifold being controlled by a pair of valves 31 and 38, these valves being connected. to the intake manifold by a pipe 39. These valves may be of any suitable construction, those shown each comprising'ports 40 and 4|! which communicate with the respective ends of v a valve piston or plunger 44 or 44 fitted to reciprocate axially, each piston or .plunger having a groove 45 or 45 and a groove 46 or 46. ports and grooves of these valves and their pistons are so located that when the valve piston is in one position the "groove 45 or 45 will connect the ports 40 and 4| or 4|] and 4|, thus connecting the respective end of the vane casing 28 with the intake manifold to establish a vacuum pressure in the corresponding end of the vane casing and at the same time the port 42 or 42* will be closed to the atmospheric vent 43 or 43, and when the valve piston occupies another position, it will intercept communication between the ports 40 and 4| or 40 and 4| and will establish communication between the port 42 or 42 and the atmospheric vent 43 or 43. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the valve piston 44 is in a position to intercept communication between the vacuum ports 40 and 4| while the port 42 is in communication with the atmospheric vent port 43, and the valve piston 44 is in a position to establish communication between the vacuum ports 40 and 4| and to intercept communication between the port 42 and the atmospheric vent port 43 With the valves set as shown in Fig. 1, a vacuum pressure will be established at the right hand end of the vane casing 28 and atmospheric pressure entering the left hand end of the vane casing will act to swing the vane 21 toward the right hand end of the casing 28 in this figure. Reversal of the positions of the valve pistons in the valves 3'! and 38 will cause the vane to swing to or toward the left hand end of the vane casing.

The pistons 44 and 44 of these valves. are normally. held in positions to interrupt communication between the respective ends of the vane casing and the intake manifold and to establish communication between both ends of the vane casing and the, atmosphere, by compression springs 50 and 50 and solenoids and 5| are preferably provided for shifting the valve pistons to establish communication between one or the other end of the vane casing and the intake manifold, these solenoids cooperating with solenoid cores 52 and 52 respectively which are carried by stems attached to the respective valve '15 projecting into the casing 1| and this cylindrical These 30 pistons, energizing of one or the other solenoid serving to shift the respective valve piston into the position shown for the valve 3,8 in Fig. 1.

' It will be understood that they swing of the 5 vane 21 in one or the other direction under control of the valves 31 and 38 will swingor rock the actuating member 28 to effect corresponding reciprocation of the shifting bar H or |6 to which it is operatively connected. While the actuating member, as hereinbefor'e stated. is preferably connected normally to the second and third speed shifting bar l3 under the action of the spring 3|, means is provided for disconnecting the actuating member from that shifting bar and connecting be operated to set the transmission for first speed or reverse, and the means provided in the present instance for controlling the connection of the actuating member to one or the other shifting bar is electromagnetically controlled. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 3 a solenoid 55 is employed for this purpose, it cooperating with a solenoid core 56 which is carried by the shaft 23 and is coaxial therewith. By this arrangement,

will be pulled axially from its normal position shown in Fig. 3 toward the right in that figure,

thereby withdrawing the actuating member 23 from engagement in the notch 22 in the shifting bar l6 and engaging the actuating member in the notch 2| in the shiftin bar l4, assuming that the shifting bars l4 and I6 at this time are both in neutral position so that the notches 2| and 22 in their inner or adjacent sides are directly oppositeto one another. Deenergization of the solenoid- 55 will enable the spring 3| to return the actuating member 25 to its normal connected relation with the shifting bar ii.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the present instance, a governing switch which is movable in accordance with the movements of the actuating member is employed to control the resstoration of each speed or gear changin element in the transmission to neutral position and to control the energization of the solenoids of the valves 31 and 38 to cause the actuating member to'eifect one or another speed change. This switch comprises a switch member 68 the body of which'is composed of Bakelite or other suitable insulating material having a pair of cross arms 6| and 62 thereon preferably in'right angular relation. The ends of the cross arm 6| are provided with contacts 63 and 64 which are exposed at the ends and the two opposite sides of such cross arm, the sides of these contacts being preferably provided with resilient or spring brushes 65 and 66, and the cross arm 62 has a contact strip 61 extending from end to end thereof, this contact strip being exposedat the ends of 0 this cross arm and being preferably slotted as 05 end of the solenoid core 56 so that this contact member will rotate and also shift axially with the shaft 23. This contact member is fitted to rotate and also shift axially within a switch casing 10 which is composed of Bakelite or other insulating material and which may be removably secured try the outer end of a casing II which contains the solenoid 56, the casing 1| being at? tached to the outer side of the vane casing 28. The switch casing III has a cylindrical portion tially spaced contacts-12, 13, 13, II and I8, the contacts 12, 13 and I6 being engageable by the ends or the contact strip 61 when said contact I respectively, and the outer end of the switch casing has a pair of contacts 83 and H fitted therein in diametricallyopposite relation and ad- 'jacent to the contacts I4 and 18 respectively.

When the switch member 68 occupies its normal position within the switch casing as shown in Fig. 3, the sides of the contacts 63 and 88 will engage the end contacts 13 and 13 and also the contacts 14 and I5, and when the switch member 60 is shifted axially, the contacts 63 and 84 will remain in engagement with the contacts 14 and I5 but the opposite sides of the contacts 83 and SI will engage the end contacts 80 and 8I respectively. The ends of'the contact 31 will be engageable with the contact I6 and the contact I2 or 13, irrespective of the axial position of the switch member 60 in the switch casing. The

- contacts I2 and 1,3 are so located with respect to the rotatable contact 61 that the latter will engage either the contact 1! or 13 when the vane 21 is at the end of its swing in one or the other direction, and the contact 61 will move out of engagement with one or the other of the contacts 12 and 13 and will engage the insulation between them when the vane 21 reaches it middle or neutral position. Also, the contacts 83 and 88 are so located that they will engage the contacts I8 and I5 while the vane 21 is in its middle or neutral position or at the end of its swing in either direction and the contacts 63 and 84 will engage the contacts I8 and I8 or 88 and 8|, accordingto the axial position occupied by the con trolling switch member 68.

The contact II is connected by a wire 88 to the solenoid 5| of the valve 31, the other terminal of this solenoid being grounded, and the contact I8 is connected by a wire 86 to the solenoid II of the valve 38, the other terminal of this solenoid being grounded. The contact I2 is connected by a wire 81 to the solenoid SI of the valve 31, and the contact 13 is connected by a wire 88 to the solenoid 5| of the valve 38. The contact I8 is connected to a wire 89 which supplies current to the contact I2 or 13 to set the valves 31 and 38 to neutralize the device-before a gear change is made.

An electromagnet switch, shown in detail in Fig. 11, is provided to insure the return of any gear element to neutral position before a gear change is made, this switch comprising an electromagnet 90 having a core 3| with which an armature 92 on a switch arm 83 cooperates, this switch arm having a contact 34 which is engageable with a contact 95 when the switch tongue 93 is attracted by energizing of the electromagnet 30, and the switch arm 83 has a-contact 88 at its opposite side which cooperates with a contact 81 when the switch arm 33 is retracted from the magnet core 9 I, as occurs when the electromagnet 88 is deenergized, the switch arm 83 being composed of resilient material and having a tendency to normally retract from the electromagnet and shown in Fig. 11.

2,202,253 i 7 portion is provided with a series or circuini'eren- -"rno electromagnet and "not M'descandalmet mes in a suitable ma QHIDBSIIIMDIBMMODWMQM havingmeans for operating itatthewili'oithe upwardl'y-throughthetop of 88 andisarrangement, when the accelerator'pedal 88 is.

rocked rearwardly or depressed at its rear end beyond closed throttle position into the position b; it will engage the button I82 located beneath it and thereby push downwardly the plunger III. The plunger III carries a spring or resilient dog I03 which is'engageable with the switch arm 88' when the plunger is depressed and oper'atesto move the switch arm downwardly and thereby engage the contact 88 thereon with the contact 35, and the plunger III carries a switch contact I84 which, after the plunger has been depressed to engage the contacts 88 and 88, will bridge a contact I85 connected to the contact 81 and a cooperating 'contact I88.. After the plunger has been depressed suillciently to bring the contacts 84 and 85 into'engagemenhthe dog I88 will yield and pass the end of the switch arm 83, and further depression of the plunger brings the switch contact "(into engagement with the contacts I88 and I88. The plungeris normally held yieldingLvinitsraisedpositionbyaspring I81. The

accelerator pedal 88 is operatively' connected to the throttle I88 in the intake manifold 86 of the automobile engine in any usual or suitable manner, the throttle being shown for example in the present instance as provided with an operating arm I08! operatively connected by a rod' I88 to one arm of a bell crank lever III pivotally mountedat lll',theotherarmofthisbellcranklever being operatively connected by a rod III to one permitting the rear or heel engaging. end 01' the When the clutch pedal occupies its rearmost potransmission; the clutch being or any, suitable or usual kind such as commonly used in automobiles.

sition A, the clutch will be engaged, thus connecting the engine to the transmission to drive the automobile, and when the clutch is depremed into the positionB, the main clutch will be disengaged. The clutch pedal however, according to the present invention, is adapted to be depressed beyond clutch disengaging position into the position C, andin moving beyond clutch disengaged position B into the position C in which the clutch will still be disengaged, the clutch pedal closes a switch H5. One of the contacts of this switch is connected by a wire IIO to the switch arm 93 and the other contact of the switch H5 is connected to one terminal of a source of electric current such as a storage battery D such as commonly carried on automobiles, the other terminal of this battery being grounded on the frame of the automobile, as usual. As will be seen from Fig. 1, the wire 89 is connected to one terminal of the winding of the electromagnet 90, the other terminal of this magnet being connected to the contact 95.

By the arrangement just described, whenever the accelerator pedal 99 is rocked rearwardly beyond closed throttle position, thus depressing its rear or heel engaging end, the switch arm 93 will be depressed, thus engaging the contacts 94 and 95, and upon operation of the clutch pedal I beyond clutch disengaging position B into the position C, thus closing the switch II5, the circuit from the battery D will be completed through the contacts 94 and 95 and the winding of the electromagnet 90, to, the contact 16, and the current thus supplied to the contact I6 will pass through the contact 61 to the contact 12 or 13, according to the position occupied by the vane 21, assuming that one of the gear changing elements of the transmission mechanism is in operative position, and the current thus supplied to the contact I2 or I3 wil be conducted to the solenoid or 5| of the valve 31 or 3B andthe circuit therethrough completed by grounding, as indicated in Fig. 1. The consequent energizing of the solenoid of one or the other of these valves will establish communication between the casing 28 at one side of the vane and the intake manifold, and the other valve will establish communication between this casing at the other side of the vane and the atmosphere, thus causing the vane to swing in the appropriate direction to its middle or neutral position, at which time the contact 61 will reach the insulation between the contact I2 and I3 and thereby break the circuit just described and interrupt the swing of the vane, the movement of the vane to its middle or neutral position returning whichever gear shifting bar it happens to be connected to to its middle or neutral position. Since the winding of the electromagnet 90 is connected in the same circuit just described, said electromagnet will remain energized and hold the contacts 94 and 95 in engagement until the circuit through the conductor 89 is broken by the passing of the contact 61 out of engagement with the contact 12 or I3, whereupon the electromagnet 90 will become deenergized and the switch arm 93 will spring upwardly, thereby bringing the contact 96 thereon into engagement with the contact 91, which will .then be engaged by the switch contact I04, so

that a circuit will then be completed to effect the gear change. When the accelerator pedal is returned to its normal closed throttle position a, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 1, the contact I04 is returned to its normal raised position, thereby breaking all circuits connected to the shifting mechanism.

The selecting of the difierent speed changes is accomplished, according to the present invention, by a selecting switch one form of which is shown in Fig. 1 and is shown in detail in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive. This switch comprises a casing H6 which is preferably mounted on the steering column of the automobile beneath the usual steering wheel so that it will be within convenient reach of the automobile driver. As shown in Fig. 14, the casing is provided with a clamp III for securing it to the steering column H8. The casing H6 contains a cylindrical sleeve II9 of Bakelite" or other suitable insulating material, this sleeve having a series of electrical contacts I20, I2I, I22, I23 and I24 mounted therein and exposed on its inner side. The contacts I2I and I22 are located adjacent to the contact I20, the contacts I2I and I22 being located opposite to one another transversely of the sleeve, and the contacts I23 and I24 have extensions I23 and I24 which are arranged in overlapping relation spaced longitudinally of the switch. This switch also comprises a controlling contact I25 which.

is shiftable longitudinally or axially of the sleeve II9 along a medial path A-A (Fig. 10).,--'which will bring it into bridging engagement with the contacts I20 and I2I, and into engagement with the contact extensions I23* and I24 and the contact I25 is also manually movable laterally of such medial line to bring it into bridging en-. gagement with the contact I20 and the contact I2I or I22, or into engagement with the main portion of the contact I23 or I24.

The controlling contact I25 is carried by a cylinder I26 of Bakelite or other suitable insulating material which is rotatable and movable axially within the cylindrical sleeve H9. The contact I25 is in the form of a resilient arm which has a tendency to spring outwardly from the periphery of the cylinder I26 and to engage the contacts in the sleeve II9, the contact I25 having an extension I2I which extends longitudinally along the cylinder I26 and is engaged by a relatively fixed contact I3I secured to the sleeve II9 throughout the travel of the contact I25 longitudinally over the contacts I20 and I2I or I22, and the contact extensions I23 and I24 and this extension I21 is 'sufiiciently wide to maintain engagement with the contact I3I when the cylinder I26 is rotated in either direction to engage the contact I25 with either of the contacts I2I and I22 or with the main portions of the contacts I23 and I24.

The cylinder I26 of the selecting switch is movable manually to enable any desired speed changes to be made selectively at the will of the driver. According to the present invention, a shaft I20 is mounted to rotate and shift axially in the casing H6, 6ne end of this shaft being threaded or otherwise fixed to the cylinder I26 at one end, the other end of this shaft being fixed to a head I29 which is notched to form a series of teeth I33, I34 and I35 which are located and spaced axially of the shaft I28 to correspond to the positions of the contact I25 when bridging the contacts I20 and I2I or engaging the contact extensions I23 and I24 respectively. The head I29 is provided with a handle I36 by which it may be shifted axially and rotated manually. This handle extends from the interior to the exterior of the casing through a slot which is similar to the H-slot for the conventional hand shifting lever, it having pairs of oppositely positioned notches or branches I31 and I38 and I39 and I40 which extend laterally of the casing H6 and are spaced axially thereof and are connected by a central slot MI, and this slot, according to the construction as shown, is

provided with a supplemental notch I42 in longitudinal alinement with the central slot I4I.

These slots are 50 arranged that when the ban-- dle I36 is moved into the notch I 42 the cylinder I 26 will occupy its fully retracted position to the left in Figs. 1 and 7, the extension I21 of the contact I25 being then beyond and out of engagement with the contact I3I, the device being Ithen set in neutral condition with the circuit diameter than the width, of the notch I42 so that, in order to engage the handle in said notch, the handle must be retracted, whereupon the stem I43 of the handle will be movable into the notch I42 and the tubular outer portion of the handle surrounding the stem will rest on the exterior of the casing, and the casing is provided at opposite sides of the notch I42 with a pair of projections I45 to enter a pair of recesses or notches I46 formed in the inner end of the sleeve-like portion of the handle. The handle may then be moved into the neutral notch I42 by retracting the handle against the action of the spring I44 and will be retained in neutral automatically select the speed changes progressively from first speed through an intermediate speed or speeds to high speed. Such means as shown inFlgs. l to 14 inclusive comprises a solenoid embodying a winding I50 contained within an enlargement of the sleeve 9 in the casing I I6, and a solenoid core I5I which is recipr'ocable within the solenoid winding in response to the energizinz and deenergizing thereof. v The solenoid core is retracted by a spring I52 when the solenoid is deenergized, the solenoid core having a stem I53 of brass or other non-magnetic metal threaded or otherwise secured to it and having an enlargement I54 which will serve as a stop to limit the retracting movement of the solenoid core. The stem I53 has a pair of resilient pawls I55 composed of brass or other nonmagnetic metal threaded into it or otherwise atposition by the cooperation of the projections I45 and I46, and the handle may be released and removed from the notch I42 by retracting it to disengage the projections I45 from the notches I46. The notch I31 into which the bandle I36 is movable to select reverse is also preferably narrower than the outer portion of the handle I36 which fits over the stem I43, so that the handle will not be movable accidentally into reverse but can be moved into reverse position only by retracting its outer sleeve-like portion so that the stem portion I43 of the handle will move into the notch I 31 while the surrounding tubular portion thereof will rest on the outer side of the casing. The notches I38, I39 and I40 into which the handle is set to select first, second and third speeds respectively are however sufficiently wide to accommodate the outer tubular portion of the handle I36 so that the handle will be movable without obstruction into any of these notches for the selection of the speed changes selectively or in any desired order. In order to yieldingly retain the "handle I36 in any one of the notches I31, I38, I39 and I40 or in a middle position for movement longitudinally through and in alinment with the central notch I, the shaft I28 is provided with a central and two lateral grooves I41 with which a spring.

pressed ball I48 cooperates, these grooves extending longitudinally of the shaft I28 and being tached thereto, these pawls being turned outwardly and having a normal tendency to spread apart, these pawls'being arranged to reciprocate in a core I56 formed axially within the cylinder I26. The bore I56 is provided with a pair 01 circumferentially extending grooves I51 and I58 which are spaced apart axially a distance equal to the spacing of the teeth I33 and I34 on the head I29 so that successive energization of the solenoid will reciprocate the pawls I55 successively to advance the cylinder I26 step by step through a distance at each step equal to the dis; tance apart of the teeth on the head I29, the pawls I55 disengaging from the groove I51 and engaging in the groove I58 during their return stroke under the action of the spring I52. A compression spring I59 is mounted between the forward end of the cylinder I26 and the respective end of the sleeve H9, this spring being compressed when the cylinder I26 is advanced and serving to restore the cylinder to its initial position when the cylinder is released. The cylinder I26 is retained in the successive positions to which it is advanced by successive actuations of the solenoid core I5I by a latch 260 which is pivoted in the casing II6 on the pivot pin 26I, the latch having a ratchet pawl 262 thereon which is bevelled and engageable successively with the teeth on the head I29 as the cylinder I26 is advanced. The pawl 262 of the latch is pressed yieldingly into operative relation with the teeth on the head I29 by a spring 263. The latch is provided with a handle or knob 264 which is exposed exteriorly of the casing H6 and provides means for manually disengaging the pawl from any tooth on the head I29, thereby releasing the cylinder I26 for return to its initial position under the action of the spring I59.

In the present instance, the solenoid which advances the cylinder I26 is controlled by the conjoint operation of the accelerator pedal 99 and clutch pedal I00. For this purpose, one terminal of the solenoid winding I50 is connected by the wire I65 to the contact which is engageable by the contact 94 of the switch arm 93 when the rear or heel engaging portion of the accelerator pedal 99 is depressed, and since the switch arm 93 is connected to the battery or source of electric current D through the switch II5 which is closed by the clutch pedal I00 when this pedal is depressed beyond clutch disengaging position into the position C, it will be seen that the closing of the circuit of the solenoid winding I50 will be dependent upon the depression of the rear or heel engaging end of the accelerator pedal beyond closed throttle position and depression of the clutch pedal beyond clutch disengaging position. However, if desired, the energizing of the solenoid winding I50 may be controlled only by the accelerator pedal 99, as or example when the automobile is equipped with a free wheeling unit which does not require disengagement of the main clutch to effect the speed changes, by omitting the clutch pedal controlled switch H5 and connecting the wire IIO directly to the battery D and the wire I83 to the contact 95, as shown in Fig. 17, or the energizing of the solenoid winding I50 may be controlled only by the clutch pedal I by connecting the wire I65 directly to the wire I I0 instead of to the contact 95, as shown in Fig. 18, in which case the clutch controlled switch II alone would control the energizing of the solenoid winding I50.

The present invention also provides means responsive to the travelling movement of the automobile for controlling the energizing of the solenoid winding I50 in order to prevent actuation of the selecting switch by careless operation of the accelerator pedal. For this purpose, the other terminal of the solenoid winding I50 is connected by a wire I66 to a contact I61 mounted adjustably in an insulated bushing in a casing I60. This casing contains a device which is responsive to the traveling movement and speed of the automobile, such device being preferably in the form of an ordinary ball governor I69 which comprises centrifugally acting balls I69 mounted on flexible links I69 mounted on a shaft I10, this shaft being mounted in suitable bearing I1I in the casing I68. The shaft I is preferably connected to the same shaft I12 which is driven at a speed corresponding to that of the automobile and serves to drive the usual speedometer I13 in the usual and well known way, the shaft I1I being provided at its ends for this purpose with couplings I14 adapted to be coupled to sections of the speedometer driving shaft I12. The governor has a collar I15 which is connected to the links I69 and slidable vertically on the shaft I10 in response to rotation of the governor, and a switch lever I16 is pivoted and grounded in the casing I68 on a pivot pin I11, the casing I68 being grounded on the automobile frame as indicated in Fig. 1. The switch arm I16 carries a contact I18 at one end and the other end of this switch arm is held in engagement with the governor collar I15 by a tension spring I19. The switch lever I16 is so arranged that when the automobile is at a standstill, or its speed is below, for example, five miles per hour, the collar I15 will be in its lower position and the contact I18 will be out of engagement with the contact I61, thus holding the circuit for the solenoid winding I50 open. When however the automobile is in motion and has attained a predetermined speed, as for example about five miles per hour, the collar I15 of the governor will rise on the shaft I10 under the action of the governor sufliciently to allow the spring I19 to engage the contact I18 with the contact I61, thereby completing the ground to the solenoid winding I50 so that the latter may be energized from the battery D under control of the accelerator pedal, or the clutch pedal, or both.

The present invention also provides means controlled by a power controlling element of the automobile, preferably the main clutch pedal as shown, for automatically disengaging the latch 260 from the head I29 thus releasing the selecting switch for restoration to its initial first or low speed position. For this purpose the latch 260 is provided with an armature I80 arranged to cooperate with the core I8I of an electromagnet contained within the casing I I6 the winding I82 of this magnet having one of its terminals connected by a wire I83 to the wire IIO so that its connection to the battery D will be controlled by the clutch pedal operated switch H5 and this magnet is preferably so controlled that it will not be energized to retract the latch 260 unless the speed of the automobile is reduced below a predetermined speed as for example five miles per hour or until the automobile is stopped. For this purpose the other terminal of the magnet winding I82 is connected by a wire I84 to "a contact I85 which is adjustably mounted in an insulating bushing in the casing I68 of the speed responsive device in a position to be engaged by the contact I18 on the switch arm I16 under the action of the collar I15 of the governor when said collar is lowered under the action of the governor to a predetermined point, engagement of the contacts I18 and I85 then completing the grounding of the magnet winding I82 so that the latter may be energized by depression of the clutch pedal I00 beyond clutch disengaging position and into the position C, thus closing the switch H5.

The contacts of the selecting switch are connected to the appropriate contacts of the controlling switch operated by the shaft 23 to effect the difierent desired speed changes. As shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 10, the contact I20 of the selecting switch is connected by a wire I60 to the solenoid 55 which, when energized, shifts the actuating member to disconnect it from the shifting bar I6' and connect it to the shifting bar I4, the other terminal of this solenoid being grounded, as shown. The contact I2I of the selecting switch is connected by a wire I6I to the contact 8|, the contact I22 is connected by a wire I62 to the contact 80, the contact I23 is connected by a wire I63 to the contact 18, and the contact I24 is connected by a wire I64 to the contact 19. The terminal I32 connected to the contact I3I is connected by a wire I32 to the contact I06.

The operation of a speed changing device constructed as hereinbefore described is as follows.

Assuming the handle I36 to be normally retained in the notch I42 by the projections I45, at which time the extension I21 of the contact I25 will be beyond the contact I3I or toward the left of said contact as viewed in Figs. 1 and 7 so that the contact I3I will rest on the insulating portion of the cylinder I26, the gear changing elements of the transmission will be in neutral condition. In order to set the device for first speed, the handle I36 is disengaged from the retaining projections I45 and withdrawn from the notch I42, allowing the latch 260 toengage the tooth I33 on the head I29, and this movement of the handle I36 will advance the cylinder I26 to bring the contact I25 thereon into bridging engagement with the contacts I20 and I2l, the contact I25 being sufficiently wide for this purpose. The selecting switch is then in condition for operation to select the speed changes.

Assuming that the speed changes are to be made automatically under control of the power controlling element or elements of the automobile and that the automobile is to be started from a standstill, the clutch pedal I00 is, depressed beyond clutch disengaging position into the position C, thereby closing the switch II5. The'closing of the switch II5 completes the circuit from the battery D through wires IIO, I83 through the winding I82 of the latch releasing magnet, wire I84, contacts I85 and I18 to ground, thereby energizing the magnet winding I82 and releasing the latch 260. However, since the wider or sleeve portion of the hand lever I36 rests at this time against the opening in the narrow notch I42, no operation takes place until the accelerator pedal is operated. Depressing of the rear end orheel engaging portion of the accelerator pedal 99 beyond closed throttle position into the position b will depress the plunger I I thereby bringing the switch arm 93 into a position to engage the contact 94 thereon with the contact 95. Sin e the circuit for the winding I50 of the solenoid for advancing the selecting switch will be open at this time by the disengagement of the contact I18 from the contact I61, the selecting switch will not be advanced, and since the transmission at this time is in neutral, the contact 61 rests on the insulation between the contacts 12 and 13, the engaging of the contact 94 with the contact 95 connected to the magnet winding 90 will not complete the circuit through this magnet, so that the switch arm 93 will be tripped as the plunger |0| descends and will return to its raised position to bring the contact 96 thereon into engagement with the contact 91, and such further descent of the plunger |0| brings the contact I04 into bridging relation with the contacts I05 and I06. Assuming the clutch pedal I00 to be depressed sufiiciently to close the switch 5, current will then flow from the battery D through this switch, wire H0, switch arm 93 and engaged contacts 96 and 91, contacts I04 and I06 and conductor I32 to contact I25. Since the contact I25 bridges the contacts I and I2I, current will flow from contact I to contact I20 thence to conductor I60 to solenoid 55, energizing the latter so that it will shift the actuating member 20 out of engagement with the shifting bar I6 and connect it with the shifting bar I4. Current will also flow from the conductor I25 to contact |2| thence through wire |6| to contact 8| which will be engaged by the contact 64 after the actuating member has been brought into engagement with the shifting bar I4, and the current will then pass from the contact 64 to the contact 15 and then by conductor 86 to the solenoid 5| of the valve 38, thereby causing this valve to shift into a position to establish communication between the right hand side of the casing 28 and the intake manifold 36 of the engine, the solenoid 5| of the valve 31 at this time being deenergized so that this valve will establish communication between the opposite end of the vane casing 28 and the atmosphere. In consequence, air at atmospheric pressure entering the left hand side of the vane casing will act to swing the vane 21- into its right hand position shown in Fig. 1, thereby operating the actuating member 20 to shift the bar I4 in a direction to mesh the gear 8 with the first speed gear 5. The clutch pedal I00 may then be allowed to rise to its position A, thereby engaging the main clutch, and the accelerator pedal 99 may be depressed at its forward end to open the throttle and start and accelerate the automobile in first speed.

As the speed of the automobile accelerates, the collar I15 on the governor I69 rises, thereby allowing the contact |18 on the switch arm I16 to engage the contact I61 which completes the ground side of the circuit for the winding I of the solenoid which advances the selecting switch, and this movement of the switch arm I16 disengages the contact I18 from the contact I85, thereby opening the ground side of the circuit for the winding I82 of the latch releasing magnet.

Second speed is obtained automatically by allowing the accelerator pedal 99 to return to closed throttle position, then depressing the clutch pedal I00 to disengage the main clutch'and close the switch 5 and then rocking the rear or heel engaging end of the accelerator pedal downwardly beyond closed throttle position thereby depressing the plunger |0|. Current will then flow from the battery D through the closed switch I I5, conductor IIO, switch arm 93, which is depressed by the dog I03 of the plunger |0|, contacts 94 and 95, electromagnet winding 90, conductor 89 and to the contact 16. Current will also flow from the contact 95 through conductor I65, solenoid winding I50, .conductor I66, through engaged contacts I61 and I18 to ground, thereby energizing the solenoid winding I50, causing its core I5| to reciprocate the pawls I55, then engaged with the groove I51, to the right in Figs. 1 and '1, thereby advancing the cylinder I26 a step, thus removing the contact I25 from the contacts I20 and |2| and engaging it with the contact I23. The disengagement of the contact I25 from the contact I20 deenergizes the solenoid 55 so that the actuating member 20 may disengage from the shifting bar I4 and engage the shifting bar I6 under the influence ofthe spring 2| when the bar I4 reaches its middle position and the gear 8 has been restored to neutral. transmission had been previously set for first speed, the contact 61 will rest on the contact 12, and current will then'flow from the contact 16 through contact 61, contact 12 and conductors 81 and to the solenoid 5| of valve 31, thereby shifting the piston of this valve into a position to establish communication between the left hand side of the vane casing 28 and the intake manifold, the solenoid of the valve 38 at this time being deenergized so that this valve will be in a position to admit air at atmospheric pressure to the right hand side of the vane casing 28. Air at atmospheric pressure will thus enter the vane casing and swing the vane 21 toward the left in Fig. 1 until it reaches its middle position, at which time the contact 61 passes off the contact 12, thus breaking the circuit through the solenoid 5| of the valve 31 and thereby interrupting communication of the left hand side of the casing 28 with the intake manifold and establishing communication between this side of the casing and the atmosphere, so that the swing of the vane 21 will be thereby interrupted at its middle or neutral position. Disengagement of the contact 61 from the contact 12 will also break the circuit through the winding of the electromagnet 90, thereby releasing the switch arm 93 and allowing it to swing upwardly to engage the contact 96 thereon with the contact 91, the dog I03 having yielded and passed beneath the contact arm 93 during the descent of the plunger |0| and the contact I04 brought into bridging engagement with the contacts I05 and I06, and current from the battery D will then flow from the switch arm 93 through contacts 96,'91, I04, I05 and I06, through conductor I32 to contact I25 thence to contact I23 and through conductor I63 to contact 18 and from the latter, through contact 63 to contact 14, and from the latter through conductor 85 to solenoid 5| of valve 31, thereby setting the piston of this valve in position to establish communication between the left hand side of the vane casing 28 and the intake manifold, the solenoid 5| of the valve 38 being then de- Assuming that the energized, so that air at atmospheric pressure may then enter the right hand side of the vane casing 28 and cause the vane 21 to swing to the left hand side of its casing, thereby swinging the actuating member 20 in a direction to reciprocate the shifting bar I6 in a. direction to engage the gear I connected thereto with the second speed gear 6. The release and upward swing of of the latch 260 with the tooth I34. After the transmission has been set for second speed, the clutch pedal I 00-may be permitted to return to clutch engaging position, thereby opening the switch H5, and the accelerator pedal 99 may be rocked forwardly to open the throttle of the englue and thereby accelerate the automobile.

Third speed is obtained automatically by allowing the accelerator pedal to return to closed throttle position, then depressing the clutch pedal I00 past clutch disengaging position to closethe switch H5, and then rocking the rear or heel engaging portion of the accelerator pedal 99 downwardly, thereby depressing the plunger IOI and causing the dog I03 thereon to depress the switch arm 93 to bring the contact 94 thereon into engagement with the contact 95, after which the dog I03 yields and passes downwardly below the arm 93 and the contact I04 is brought into bridging engagement with the contacts I05 and I06. Current'will then flow from the contact 94 through the solenoid I50 and engaged contacts I61 and I18, energizing this solenoid and causing the pawls I55 then engaged in the groove I58 to advance the switch cylinder -I26 another step to bring the contact I25 into engagement with the contact' I24, where it is held by engagement of the latch 260 with the tooth I35. Since the contact I25 will then be out of engagement with the contact I20, the solenoid 55 will be deenergized so that the actuating member will be in engagement with the shifting bar I5 under the influence of the spring 3|. Current will then flow from the battery D through closed switch I I5, conductor IIO, switch arm 93, engaged contacts 94 and 95, electromagnet winding 90, conductor 89 to contact 16, and as the transmission was previously set for second speed, the. contact 61 will then engage the contact 13, so that current will flow thro'ugh the contacts 16, 61 and 13 and through conductors 86 and 88 to the solenoid 5| of the valve 38, thereby operating the piston of this valve to establish communication between the right hand side of the vane casing 26 and the intake manifold, the solenoid 5| of the valve 31 i at this time being deenergized so that this valve will establish communication between the left hand side of the vane casing 28 and the atmosphere. Air at atmospheric pressure will then enter the left hand side of the casing 28 and will cause the vane 21 to swing from that side of the casing toward the right until the contact 61 disengages from the contact 13, whereupon the circuit through the solenoid 5I will be broken and this valve will return to its normal position tions of the wall of the bore I56. After the trans 'n n eutral position. The breaking of the circuit by, the" passing of the contact 61 'fromengagement with the contact 13 also breaks the circuit through the winding of the electromagnet so that the switch arm 93 then swings upwardly, bringing its contact 96 into engagement with the contact 91, and current will then flow from the battery through the closed switch II5, conductor IIO, switch arm 93, contact 96 and 91, I04, I05 and I06 and through the conductor I32 to the contact I25 and from the latter to contact I24, then through conductor I64 to contact fold, the solenoid 5I of the valve 31 being then deenergized so that this valve will establish communication between the left hand side of the casing 28 and 'the atmosphere. Air at atmospheric pressure will then enter the left hand side of the casing 28 through thevalve 31 and will there'- by swing the vane 21 to the right hand side of the casing 28, thereby shifting the bar I6 to cause the gear I0 connected thereto to shift in a direction to engage the third or high speedclutch members II and I2. The upward swing of the switch arm 93 which disengages the contacts 94 and 95 breaks the circuit through the solenoid winding I50, thereby deenergizing this solenoid and allowing the spring I52 to return the core I5I to retracted position, at which time the pawls I55 will be retracted beyond the grooves I51 and I58 and will engage smooth or ungrooved pormission has been set for third or high speed, the clutch pedal I00 may be allowed to return as usual to clutch engaging position, thereby opening the switch I I5, and the accelerator pedal may be rocked forwardly to open the throttle of the engine for acceleration and driving.

As the movable contact carrying cylinder I26 of the selecting switch is advanced each. step by successive actuations of the solenoid, the selecting switch is operated automatically to select the speed changes progressively from first or low speed through a second or intermediate speed to third or high speed, and the movable contact carrying cylinder I26 will be automatically retained, at each step in its advance, by the successive engagement ofthe latch 260 with the teeth I34 and I35 on the head I29, and when 3 the spring I59, which was compressed by the advance of the cylinder I26, 'will return the cylinder I26 to its initial or first speed setting, its return movement being arrested by the engagement of the wider portion of the hand lever I36 at the entrance of the notch I42. The present invention also provides means for operating the latch 260 to release the selecting switch for return to its initial or first speed position under to establish communication between the right control of the clutch pedal when the speed of the automobile is reduced below a predetermined .speed, as for example five miles per hour,'or

the automobile is stopped. The setting of the latch for such automatic release is accomplished by the governor I88, the collar I15 of which will descend when the speed of the automobile is reduced below a predetermined speed or the automobile is stopped, thereby causing the con-. tact I18 to engage the contact I85 thereby grounding one terminal of the magnet winding I82, and since the other terminal of the magnetwinding I82 is connected by the conductors II 8 and I83 to the battery D through the clutch controlled switch II5, depression of the clutch beyond clutch'disengaging position and into the position C, which closes the switch H5, will complete the circuit through the winding I82 of the latch releasing magnet, thereby retracting the latch 288 and releasing the head I28 so that the movable contact carrying cylinder I28 of the selecting switch may return automatically to its initial or first speed position under the influence of the spring I58.

The speed changes may be madeselectively or in any desired order manually or independently of the automatic means hereinbefore described. The manual selection of the speed changes is accomplished by manipulation of the hand lever I38. By rocking this hand lever laterally into the notch I38, the contact I25 is engaged with the contact I2I while bridging also the contact I28 controlling the solenoid 55, and

by rocking the rear or heel engaging end of the accelerator pedal 89 downwardly and depressing the clutch pedal I88 beyond its clutch disengaging position to closethe switch II5, the speed changing operation will be performed in the same manner hereinbefore described bythe circuits connected to the contacts I28 and I2I and the contacts operated by the plunger I8I, with the exception that the solenoid core I5I will operate idly, and similarly, by engaging the hand same manner as hereinbefore described, with the exception that the solenoid core I 5| will operate idly. When the hand lever I34 is set in any one of the notches I 38, I38 and I48, it will be retained therein until manually released therefrom, thereby maintaining the transmission set for any desired speed. Setting of the selecting switch for any desired lower speed is accomplished by the hand lever I38 after release thereof by retraction of the latch 288', either manually or by operation of the clutch pedal.

The transmission is set for reverse by swinging the hand lever I 38 laterally into the reverse notch I31 after pulling the sleeve-like portion ofthis lever upwardly to permit the stem I43 to enter this narrow notch and allowing the accelerator pedal to return to closed throttle position, then depressing the clutch pedal I 88 beyond clutch disengaging position and into the position which closes the switch H5, and then depressing the rear or heel engaging portion of the accelerator pedal 88 downwardly below closed throttle position. When the hand lever I38 is in the notch I31, the contact I25 will bridge the contact I28 and the contact I22, depression of the rear or heel engaging portion of the accelerator will cause the dog I83 thereon to depress the switcharm 83 to engage the contacts 84 and 85, after which the dog I83 yields and passes the switch arm 83, and such operation also brings the contact I84 into bridging engagement-with the contacts I85 and I88. The engagement of the contacts 84 and 85 completes the circuit through the magnet 88 which is connected by the conductor 88 to the contact 13 but if the transmission happens to be in neutral condition, as would be usually the case, this circuit will be open where the contact 51 rests on the insulation between contacts 12 and 13 but if the transmission is set for any forward speed, the solenoid 5I of the valve 31 or the solenoid 5I of the valve 38 will be energized to cause return of the'vane 21 to its middle or neutral position. Assuming that the transmission is in or has been returned to neutral condition, current will flow from the battery D through the closed switch II5, conductor II8, switch arm 83, contacts I84, I85 and I88, through conductor I32 to contact I25, and since the latter bridges the contacts I28 and I22, the solenoid 55 will be energized through the conductor I 88 connected to contact I28, thereby engaging the actuating member 28 with the shifting bar I5, and current will pass from the contact I22 through the conductor I82 to contact 88 and from the latter through the contact 53 to contact 14 and from the latter, through conductor 35, to the solenoid 5| of the valve 31, thereby energizing the solenoid of this valve and causing its piston to shift into a position to establish communication between theleft hand side of the vane casing-28 and the intake manifold, the solenoid 5| of the valve 35 being then deenergized so that this valve will establish communication between the right hand side of the vane casing 28 and the atmosphere. Air-at atmospheric pressure will then enter the right hand side of the vane casing 28 and swing the vane 21 toward the left in Fig. 1, thereby shifting the bar I4 to bring the gear 8 into mesh with the reverse gear 8.

The transmission is set in neutral condition by retracting the outer portion of the handle I38 against the action of. the spring I44 and moving the stem I43 into the narrow notch I 42, thereby moving the cylinder I28 into a position where the contact I21 is beyond or out of engagement with the contact I3I. Such disengagement of the contact I21 from the contact I3I disconnects the movable or controlling contact I25 from the battery D. If the transmission happens to be set for any speed, depression of the clutch pedal I88 beyond clutch disengaging position to close the switch II5 while the accelerator pedal is in closed throttle position, and subsequent depression of the rear end or heel engaging portion of the accelerator pedal 88 downwardly. beyond closed throttle position will cause current to flow from the battery D through the closed switch I I5, conductor II8, switch arm 83, contacts 84 and 85 which are then engaged, and through the winding of the solenoid 88, conductor 88 to the contact 18 and from the latter through the contact 81 to the contact 12 or 13, according to which gear is engaged, to the solenoid of the respective valve 31 or 38, thereby causing the vane 21 to swing to its middle position and then stop upon disengagement of the contact 81 with the contact 12 or 13, thereby restoring the engaged gear to neutral.

It is to be understood that, whether the selecting switch is operated automatically under the influence of itsactuating solenoid to effect the speed changes progressively or is operated manually, the device is restored automatically to neutral conditionbefore any speed change is made,

restoration of the transmission to" neutral con-.

dition prior to any speed change being insured by the holding magnet 90 which maintains the neutralizing circuit closed and holds the speed changing circuit open until after the transmiscontrolling element of the automobile. Fig. 15

sion has been brought to neutral condition,

whereupon the circuit closed by the' selecting switch to effect a speed change is completed.

Instead of shifting the actuating member 20 to disconnect it from the shifting bar I8 and connect it to the shifting bar I4 by the direct action of a solenoid, as hereinbefore described, fluid pressure operated electromagnetically controlled means such as shown in Fig. 12 may be employed. As shown in this figure, the shaft 23 connected to the actuating member and corresponding to 20 the shaft 23 previously described has a piston I90 fixed thereon, this piston being mounted to reciprocate in a fluid pressure cylinder I9I, one end of which is closed by a switch like that shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the parts of which are desig- 5 nated by the same reference characters as in those figures, the controlling member 80 of this switch being fixed to the shaft 23, this switch being connected in the circuits and operating as already hereinbefore described. The cylinder I95, this valve reciprocating in a bore I98 the side of which has an atmospheric port I91 which is adapted to be put into communication with the cylinder by the valve J95 when the latter is in its'normal position. The valve I95 has a solesliows such an arrangement in which the selecting switch is operated'to automatically select the speed changes progressively by successive actuations of the main clutch pedal. bodlment of the invention, in which parts corresponding with those hereinbefore described are designated by reference characters which are primed, the casing for the parts of the selecting switch is composed of two parts H8 and H8". The part I I8 of the casing is constructed like the casing II8 hereinbefore described, with the exception that the selecting switch is contained in the part II8" of the casing and the actuating solenoid is omitted. The handle or lever I88" for manually operating the selecting switch is employed, it being fixed to the shaft I28 which is tion II8, the lever'or handle I38 being movable selectivelyinto any of the notches which are formed in the casing 8' like the notches I81, I38, I39, I40 and I42 shown in Fig. 14, and the handle or lever I38 being also shiftable longitudinally in alinement with the central notch or slot MI and adapted to be releasably retained in its different advanced positions by a latch 280 releasable manually by lifting the knob 284' or electromagnetigally by the electromagnet comprising the core I8I and I82. -The shaft I28 is provided with a compression spring I59 which serves to restore it to its initial or first speed position. I 1

The casing section II 8' is preferably secured to the steering column immediately below the usual steering wheel, as by a clamp II1 shown in Fig. 14, and the casing section I I8" is secured to the steering column preferably at a point henoid core I98 which operates in a solenoid I99, 40

so that when this solenoid is energized, the valve 1 I 95 will be retracted,'thereby establishing communication between the pipe I93 and the port I92 through the port I94 in this valve, thereby establishing a vacuum pressure in the cylinder 45 ISI which will cause the shaft 23 to shift axially and thereby disconnect the actuating member 20 from its normal engagement with the shifting bar I6 and to connect it with the shifting bar I4.

When the solenoid I99 is deenergized, the .valve I95 will be returned to its normal position under the action of a spring 200, thereby interrupting communication of the port-I92,with the pipe I93 and establishing communication between the port I92 and the atmospheric port I91, through embodiment of the invention may be connected in the circuit in the same manner in which the solenoid 55 previously described is connected, and the fluid pressure operated device shown in Fig. 12 will operate in the same manner as hereinbefore described with respect to the solenoid 55, with the exception that the shifting of the actuating member into engagement with one or the other of the shifting bars will be effected by fluid pressure under the control of the solenoid instead of being effected directly by the power '70 of the solenoid itself. I

Instead of operating the selecting switch by successive actuations of a solenoid, as hereinbefore described, this switch may be operated low the floor of the automobile. These casing sections are connected by a tubular conduit 20I which contains a shaft 202 which is rotatable and shiftable axially therein and connected at its upper end by a flexible shaft 203 and coupling 204 to the shaft I41. The lower end of the shaft 202 is fixed to a shaft I28" which is rotatable and shiftable axially in the casing section H8 and is provided withlongitudinally extending grooves I41" spaced circumferentially thereof and adapted to cooperate with a spring pressed pawl I48" for yieldingly retaining the shaft I28" in the different positions into which it may be rotated. v

The lower end of the shaft I28 is fixed to a cylinder I28 which is slidable and rotatable in an insulating sleeve 9' in the casing-section H8". The sleeve II9ls provided in a side thereof with a series of contacts I20, I2I, I22, I23 and I24 which are arranged like the contacts shown in'Fig. 10, and these contacts areadapted to be connected in the circuits shown in Fig. 1 by the conductors shown connected to these contacts and bearing designations corresponding with the conductors shown in Fig. 1. The cylinder I28 carries a contact I25 andan extension I21 thereof corresponding with the contact I25 and extension I21 previously described, and the sleeve 9' has a contact I3I' connected thereto at- I32 and adapted to be connected to the designated conductor in the circuit of Fig. 1 the contact I3I cooperating with the contact extension I21. The interior bore I58 of the cylinder I28 is provided with circumferq entiai grooves I51 and I88 which are spaced,

axially therein a distance corresponding to the spacing of the teeth on the head I29, and a mechanically by successive actuations of a power pair of yieldable pawls I55 which have a nor- In this emmal tendency to spring outwardly,- are arranged to cooperate with these grooves. The pawls I55L,.

are carried by a plunger I5I' which is mounted slidably in the lower end of the casing section I'Ii" so that it will reciprocate the pawls I55 with suitable means, such as an extension I" thereon to bear on and actuate the plunger II. By this arrangement, each actuation of the clutch pedal to the position C will impart an upward stroke to the plunger I5 I, thereby causing the pawls I55, cooperating with the grooves I51 and I58, to advance the sleeve I26 by successive steps to engage the moving contact a I25 with the contacts in the sleeve 9' to select the speed changes progressively in the same manner hereinbefore described with respect to the operation of the selecting switch by the solenoid I50, the switch being retained in its successive positions by the latch 260 and this latch being releasable ,manually or by the magnet Ill, I02 in the same manner as hereinbefore described respecting these parts, the movements of the switch cylinder I26 under the action of the clutch pedal operated plunger being communicated to the shaft I28 and toothed head I20 by the shafts 202 and 203. When the toothed head I2! is released by retraction of the latch 260, the parts, including the switch cylinder I26, are restored to initial or first speed position under the action of the spring I59. In this embodiment of the invention, the selecting switch may be operated manually by the lever or handle I36 to select the speed changes selectively or in any' desiredorder in the same manner herebefore described with respect to the handle or lever I36, the rotative movements of the handie or lever I 35' as well as the axial movements thereof being communicated to the switch cylinder I26 by the shafts 202 and 203.

Instead of actuating the plunger of the selecting switch shown in Fig. 15 by the main clutch pedal, it may be actuated by the accelerator pedal, such an arrangement being shown in Fig. 16.which illustrates the lower end of the structure shown in Fig. 15 in which the accel erator pedal 09' is arranged to lift or actuate the plunger I5I each time the accelerator pedal is rocked rearwardly beyond closed throttle position into the position b, the construction and operation of the selecting switch being otherwise the same as in Fig. .15. This embodiment of the invention in which the selecting switch is advanced by successive actuations of the accelerator pedal beyond its closed throttle position is especially advantageous when applied to an automobile equipped with hydraulic clutches or a planetary transmission or with a so-called freewheeling unit which enables the speed changes to be made without the necessity of disengaging the main clutch, so that the speed changes may be made under the entire control of the accelerator pedal.

In this embodiment of the invention, the lower end of the casing II on the steering column, which casing and its associated parts are otherwise constructed as'shown Fig. 15, is provided with a transverse guide I I0 below the plunger IQ'I'Tin which a bar- 2I0 slides, this bar having a wedge or cam 2I'I on its upper side arranged to engage the lower end of I the plunger I5I" and impart an upward stroke thereto each time said bar is shifted in one direction by the rearward or downward rocking of the rear 'or heel engaging end of the accelerator pedal 99, said bar being arranged to be actuated by the accelerator pedal for-such purpose by a bell-crank lever 2I0 pivoted on a stationary pivot pin 2I9 and having one arm thereof pivotally connected to the bar 2I0 and its other arm carrying a pin 220 mounted adjustably thereon and located below the rear or heel engaging end of the accelerator pedal to be engaged thereby at its upper end, the lower end of the pin 220 being in alinement with and located above the spring-retract ed plunger IOI. The accelerator pedal is connected to the engine throttle by the same means shown in Fig. 1. I

In this arrangement, the cam 2" will be returned to be held in retracted position, as shown,

by the spring I" of the plunger IOI while the accelerator pedal 99' occupies its normal closed throttle position a, the plunger I5I being then retracted as shown in Fig. 15, but each time the rear or heel engaging end of the accelerator pedal is rocked rearwardlyv or downwardly into the position b, it actuates the plunger IOI of the circuit selecting switch and it also actuates the bar 2I0 to impart an upward stroke to the plunger I5I' to advance the switch cylinder I26 a step, so that successive rearward rocking movements of the accelerator pedal will advance the switch cylinder I20 by successive steps to 7 select the speed changes progressively, as described in connection with Fig. 15. Release of the switch cylinder I26 to allow the selecting switch and handle I36 to return to neutral is elfected by the clutch pedal switch II 5 which completes the circuit of the releasing magnet I02, as shown in Fig. 1, and the device is neutralized through the conductor 09 as in Fig. 1.

It will be understood that in using the clutch pedal actuated selecting switch shown in Fig. 15 or the accelerator pedal actuated selecting switch shown in Fig. 16, the solenoid I50 and its circuit connections shownin Fig. 1 will be omited, but the circuits will otherwise'be the I same as shown in Fig. 1 and the mode of operthough usually operated by the feet of the driver,

are to be regarded as manually operable since they are operable at the willof the driver.

It will be noted that the controlling functions of the clutch pedal or accelerator pedal with respect to the speed selecting and changing operations are performed by such pedals when moved beyond their normal range of operation in performing their usual or primary functions in the operation of the automobile, so that free use of these pedals for performing their usual functions is always available without affecting the speed changing mechanism until such is desired. Moreover, by utilizing these pedals to control the speed changing operations, it is only necessary to move them beyond their usual range of operation, thereby facilitating the operation-of the automobile and avoiding the expense of providing separate controls.

By providing means controlled by successive actuations of the clutch pedal or the accelerator, or by both of these pedals when operated conjointly, to automatically select the speed changes progressively from low or first speed through an intermediate or second speed to high or third speed, the operation of an automobile is greatly facilitated, especially in starting the automobile into motion from a standstill, and the device responsive to the movement or travel of the automobile and controlling the operation of the solenoid which advances the selecting switch prevents operation thereof unless the automobile is in motion, thereby avoiding advancing of the selecting switch by careless operation of the accelerator pedal while the automobile is stopped.

The means provided for manually selecting the speed changes independently of the automatic means enables the speed changes to be selected selectively or in any desired order, and since the movements of the manual means are similar to those of the conventional hand shifting lever heretofore used generally, it may be operated .speed changes and the formation of the notches of the slot in which it operates facilitates the operation of this lever and avoids unintentional setting thereof in reverse or neutral.

The means controlled automatically by the clutch pedal for releasing the selecting switch and restoring it to its initial or first speed position when the automobile is stopped enables the transmission to be restored from second or intermediate or third or high speed to low or first speed automatically, thus preparing the transmission for the next start, and the manual operation of the releasing means for the selecting switch enables it to be restored from any higher speed to first or low speed, thus enabling the selecting switch to be operated manually to select the speed changes selectively or in any desired order, either from a lower to a higher speed or from a higher to a lower speed, and

while the automobile is in motion or not in moso that they are actually performed only while the clutch pedal is in clutch-disengaged position beyond its range of operation in performing its primary function, clashing of gears is avoided, and by controlling the speed changing operations so that they are performed only while the accelerator pedal is in closed-throttle position beyond the range of its operation in performing its throttle controlling function, racing of the automobile engine during the speed changes is avoided. By controlling the speed changing operations so that they are actually performed only while the clutch pedal is in clutch disengaged position and the accelerator pedal is in closed throttle position, clashing of the gears and racing of the engine during the speedchanges are both avoided.

By constructing the selecting switch and its cooperative parts as a self contained unit, as shown, this switch may be readily accommodated on an automobile in a position within convenient reach of the driver, such as on the steering column as shown.

By constructing the governor controlling the actuating solenoid for the selecting switch and the releasing magnet for the retaining latch thereof as a unit and. inter-posing it in the drive shaft for the usual speedometer, installation of the governor is facilitated and the necessity of employing a separate drive for the governor is avoided, and moreover, the governor may be accommodated in a small available space.

I claim as my invention:

1. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of anautomobile having a manually operable fuel controlling element for controlling the operation of the automobile engine, comprising selecting means operable to select different speed changes of the transmission, meansresponsive to operation of said fuel controlling element for automatically operating theselectin'g means to select speed changes of the transmission from a lower speed to a higher speed, and means rendered operative by movement of said fuel controlling element beyond its normal range of operation in controlling the engine for restoring the selecting means from a higher to a lower speed position.

2. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having an accelerator pedal for controlling the throttle of the automobile engine, comprising selecting means operable to select different speed changes of the transmissiommeans responsive to successive operations of the accelerator pedal for automatically operating the selecting means to select speed changes of the transmission from a lower speed to a higher speed, and means releasable by movement of said accelerator pedal beyond its normal range of movement in controlling the operation of the engine for restoring the selecting means from a higher to a lower speed position.

3. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having a fuel control element for the engine thereof and a clutch means for controlling the clutch connecting the engine to the transmission, comprising selecting means operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of said fuel control element for automatically operating the selecting means to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed, and means releasable by operation of said clutch means for restoring the selecting means from a higher to a lower speed position.

4. Control means for the changeable. speed transmission of an automobile having an element for controlling the clutch connecting the transmission to the engine and a fuel control element for the engine, comprising selecting means operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of said clutch and fuel control elements conjointly for automatically operating the selecting member to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed, and means releasable by said clutch controlling element for restoring the selectingmeans from a higher to a lower speed position.

5. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having a-manually operable power controlling element, comprising selecting means operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of said power controlling element for automatically operating the selecting means to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed,

means for operating the selecting means manually independently of said power controlling ele- -ment to select the speed changes of the transmission selectively, and means releasable by operation of said power controlling element for restoring the selecting means from a higher to a lower speed position.

6. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of,an automobile having an element for controlling the clutch connecting the transmission to the automobile engine, comprising selecting means operable to select the diilerent speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of the clutch controlling element for automatically operating the selecting means to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed, means for operating said selecting means manually independently of the clutch controlling element to select the speed changes of the transmission selectively in any desired order, and means releasable by operation of the clutch controlling element for restoring said selecting means from high to low speed and also releasable manually to restore said selecting means to low speed from any other speed.

7. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having a manually operable power controlling element, comprising selecting means operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of said power controlling element for automatically operating the selecting means to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed, a device responsive to traveling, movement of the automobile for rendering said operating means inoperable when the automobile is stopped, and means releasable by operation of said power controlling element for restoring the selecting means to its low speed position.

8. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having a manually operable power controlling element, comprising selecting means operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of said power controlling element for automatically operating the selecting means to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed, a device responsive to travelling movement and speed of the automobile, and means controlled by said device and releasable by operation of said power controlling element when the automobile is stopped or its speed is below a predetermined minimum for restoring said selecting means to its low speed position.

9. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having a manually operable power controlling element, comprising selecting means operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of said power controlling element forautomatically operating the selecting means to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed, a device responsiveto travelling movement and speed of the automobile for rendering said operating means operable while the automobile is in motion at a speed above a predetermined minimum and inoperable when below such minimum or is stopped, and means releasable by operation of said power controlling element for restoring the selecting means to its low speed position.

10. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having a manually operable power controlling element, comprising selecting means including a reciprocatory selecting member operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of said power controlling element beyond its range of operation to perform its power controlling function for automatically reciprocating said selecting member in one direction to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively, means acting to reciprocate said member in the opposite direction to restore it to initial position, releasable means for retaining said member in its speed selecting positions, and means controlled by said power controlling element for releasing said retaining means.

11. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having a manually operable means for controlling the clutch connecting the transmission to the automobile engine, comprising selecting means including a reciprocatory selecting member operable to select the difierent speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of the clutch means beyond its range of operation in performing its clutch controlling function for automatically reciprocating said selecting member in one direction to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively, means acting to reciprocate said member in the opposite direction to restore it to initial position, releasable means for retaining said member in its speed selecting positions, and means controlled by said clutch means for releasing said retaining means.

12. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having a fuel control element for the engine thereof and an element for controlling the clutch connecting the engine to the transmission, comprising selecting means including a reciprocatory selecting member operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive actuations of said fuel control element beyond its range of operation to perform its fuel controlling function for automatically reciprocating the selecting member in one direction to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively, means acting to reciprocate the selecting member in the opposite direction to retore it to initial position, releasable means for retaining the selector in its speed selecting positions, and means controlled by the clutch controlling element for releasing said retaining means.

13. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having a manually operable power controlling element, comprising selecting means including a reciprocatory selecting member operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsive to successive operations of said power controlling element beyond its range of operation to perform its power controlling function for automatically reciprocating said selecting member in one direction to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively, means selecting positions.

for reciprocating and rotating said selecting of the transmission selectively, means acting to reciprocate the selecting member to restore it to initial position, and means for releasably retaining the selecting memberin its different speed 14. Control means for thechangeable speed transmission of an automobile having amanually operable power controlling element, comprising selecting means including a reciprocatory selecting member operable to select the different speed changes of the transmission, means responsiveto successive operations of said power "actuating the selecting means successively to select the speed changes-progressively, -a'device controlling element beyond its range of operation to perform its power controlling function for automatically reciprocating said selecting member in one direction to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively, means for reciprocating and rotating said selecting member manually independently of said power controlling element to select the speed changes of the transmission selectively, means acting to reciprocate the selecting member to restore it to initial position, and means releasable by said power controlling element and also releasable manually for retaining the selecting member in its different speed selecting positions.

15. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having means for controlling the clutch connecting the transmission to the automobile engine and a, fuel control element for the engine, comprising means controlled by thefuel control element for effecting the different speed changes, selecting means including a reciprocatory selecting member operable to select the different speed changes, and means responsive to successive actuations of the clutch means for automatically operating the selecting member to select the speed changes of the transmission progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed, and means controlled by said clutch means for restoring said selecting member to its low speed position.

16 Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having an element for controlling the clutch connecting the engine to the transmission, comprising means for effecting the diilerent speed changes, means for selecting the speed changes, and a solenoid controlled by said clutch controlling element for controlledby travelling movement of the automobile, and means controlled by saidclutch'controlling element and said deviceforl restoring th selecting means .to its initial position. r 19. Control ,meansfor: the changeable speed transmission ofan automobile having. an elementforcontrolling the clutch connecting the engine to the transmission, comprising means for effecting: thedifferent speed changes, means for selecting thespeed changes,-t--a solenoid for operating the selecting means.- to select the speed changes progressively, a switch controlled by travelling movement and speed of the automobile, and electromagneticallycontrolled means rendered operative by said switch when the automobile is stoppedv or its speed is below a predetermined minimum and by operation of said clutch controlling element for restoring the selecting means'to its initial position.

,20.- Inorfor control means for a changeable speed transmission, selecting means comprising a member movable to'select speed changes, said member having means for moving it manually to select speed changes selectively, means independent of said manual means for'advancing said member step-by-step to select speed changes progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed, and :releasable means for restoring said member to its low speed position.

21. In or' for control means fora changeable speed transmission, selecting means comprising a member movable to select speed changes, said member having means for moving it manually to select speed changes selectively, electromagnetically controlled means independent of said manual means for advancing said member stepby-step to select speed changes progressively from low speed through an intermediate speed to high speed, and releasable means for restoring said member to its low speed position.

22. In or for control means for a changeable speed transmission, selecting means comprising a member movable to select speed changes, a solenoid having a reciprocatory core and means operative by successive actuations thereof to advance said member step-by-step to select speed changes progressively, means acting to restore said member to its initial position, and releasable means for retaining said member at each step in its advance.

actuating the selecting means successively to' select the speed changes progressively.

17. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having an element for controlling the clutch connecting the engine to the transmission, comprising means for efiecting the different speed changes, means for selecting the speed changes, a solenoid controlled by said clutch controlling element for actuating the selecting means successively to select the speed changes progressively, and electromagnetically controlled means controlled by at least said clutch controlling element for restoring the selecting means to a position to select a lower speed.

18. Control means for the changeable speed transmission of an automobile having an element for controlling the clutch connecting the engine to the transmission, comprising means for effecting the different speed changes, means for selecting the speed changes, a solenoid controlled by said clutch controlling element for 23. In or for controlmeans for a changeable speed transmission, selecting means comprising a member rotatable and movable axially to select speed changes, means for manually rotating said member and moving it axially to select speed changes selectively, means for moving said member axially to select speed changes progressively independently of said manual means, and releasable means for retaining said member in the different axial positions into which it is moved.

24. In or for control means for a changeable speed transmission, selecting means comprising a member rotatable and movable axially to select speed changes, means for manually rotating said member and moving it axially to select speed changes selectively, electromagnetically controlled means for moving said member axially, means for yieldably retaining said member in the positions into which it is rotated, and releasable means for retaining said member in the axial positions into which it is moved.

25. In Or for control means for a changeable 

